Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, Wisconsin United States (near the corner of Highway G and U.S. Route 2) |
| Type | Visitor center, museum, community space and nature center |
| Key holdings | Regional archive office of the Wisconsin Historical Society (on second floor) |
| Collections | Historical displays of regional interest, especially of natural history |
| Owner | US Forest Service |
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is a special place near Ashland, Wisconsin. It's like a welcome center, a museum, and a nature spot all in one! You can find it west of Ashland, close to Highway G and U.S. Highway 2. It's open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, and the best part is, it's completely free to visit!
Contents
Discover the Visitor Center
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center first opened its doors in 1998. Many different groups work together to run it. These include the United States Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Wisconsin Historical Society. They all help make the center a great place to learn and explore.
What You'll Find Inside
The center has three floors filled with interesting things to see and do.
- The first floor is where you'll find exhibits about nature.
- It also has an information desk, a meeting room, and a gift shop.
- You can even watch cool documentaries in the Martin Hansen Theatre. Just ask, and they can play a film about history or science for you!
Exploring the Second Floor
Up on the second floor, there's a special office for the Wisconsin Historical Society. This office keeps important old documents and records from the area. It's like a treasure chest of history!
Outdoor Adventures: The Boardwalk Trail
Right behind the building, there's a fun ¾-mile boardwalk trail. This trail lets you walk through different natural areas. You'll see a black ash swamp, a sedge meadow, and even a forest with cedar and tamarack trees. It's a great way to experience nature up close!
Exciting Exhibits to Explore
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center has amazing exhibits that teach you about the area.
Main Nature Displays
On the first floor, the main exhibit is all about the natural history of the region. It focuses a lot on Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. You can learn about the animals, plants, and geology of this incredible area.
Changing History Displays
There's also a smaller exhibit space on the second floor. This area often changes its displays. These exhibits usually focus on the history of people in the region, rather than just nature. It's a great way to learn about the past!
